“Do not depend on the hope of results.” This quote comes from a letter that Thomas Merton wrote to activist (and my Facebook friend), Jim Forest. Our worldwide reality is forcing us to truly live in the present, to take seriously Jesus’ suggestion to “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow brings enough trouble of its own.”

In an effort to respond to this moment, I dusted off an original hymn tune that didn’t initially yield my “hoped for results” when I entered it last year in a contest that I didn’t win. At that time I’d composed the music as a setting for someone else’s text. Motivated to now write my own words, over a period of three days I composed these three verses:

1. When our hearts are filled with sadness,when our minds are in despair,
when we pray and hear no answer,
asking why God does not care:

may we feel Love’s gaze enfold uswith a peace so wide and free.
As God weeps and shares our sorrow,we are never left alone.

2. In our days of isolation,in the hands we cannot touch,
as our screens show loved ones’ faces
yet still leave us wanting much:

may we find Love’s home within usin its quiet, long embrace
stilling fear and giving comfort,we are never left alone.

3. As Christ walks within our cities,weeps at each deserted street,
as he suffers with the dying,
as he blesses, offering peace:

may we find Christ’s way before useven, only for this day.
Held in mercy through this season,we are never left alone.

For any donation above the $1 cost for the sheet music, I’m waiving licensing fees for streaming use in your online services or virtual choirs. Donations can be made via Paypal or Venmo (preferred method) @Deanna-Witkowski.Continue reading →